Indian craftsmen create life-size image of Durga

The St Fagans National History Museum at Cardiff will see Indian artists creating colourful full-size images of Hindu goddess Durga from Wednesday.

"We are extremely glad for this chance to invite these amazing artists from India to Wales, we can't wait to share our culture with the rest of Wales," said Sandip Raha of the Wales Puja Committee about the event which will continue till April 4.

The visit of the artists to Wales will offer an unique opportunity for people to see them at work creating images of the goddess and her companions, Raha said.

Project facilitator Roma Choudhury will interpret and explain the work of the craftsmen, and there will be an opportunity for families to take part in art workshops inspired by the Indian images with Welsh artist Luned Rhys Parri on March 28.

One of the main religious festivals in the Hindu calendar, Durga puja happens every autumn and is especially significant to Bengali people. It is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, because Durga herself killed demon Mahishasura.

The process of creating a statue of Durga is a holy one from start to finish. One of the most important steps is Chakkhu Daan the painting of the eye. Before painting the eye, the artists fast for a day and eat only vegetarian food, the organisers said.